FISHERSVILLE, VIRGINIA – Augusta Health has named Leigh Williams, MHIIM, FHIMSS, FACHDM, CHCIO, as its new Vice President and Chief Information Officer (CIO), effective January 12, 2025. Before her promotion, Williams served as the Assistant Chief Information Officer since joining Augusta Health in 2021.
During her time at Augusta Health, Williams has been key in advancing the organization’s technology strategy. Her leadership has strengthened IT governance and improved collaboration between clinical and business operations. Williams has also driven innovation, supporting Augusta Health’s overall mission.
Under her guidance, Augusta Health’s Information Technology (IT) team has successfully implemented nearly 200 technology solutions. These implementations have improved system integration, workflow efficiency, and digital access for both patients and providers. Williams has championed human-centered design principles and innovative partnerships. These align technology with the needs of clinicians, staff, and patients.
As CIO, Williams will oversee all IT functions, including clinical engineering, informatics, and information security. She will also be a key member of Augusta Health’s executive leadership team, driving digital transformation initiatives. The goal of these initiatives is to enhance patient care and operational excellence.
With over 15 years of experience in healthcare IT leadership, Williams has held pivotal roles at the University of Virginia Health System and the University of Mississippi Medical Center. She is a certified Healthcare CIO and HIMSS Fellow. Williams is also a recognized thought leader in healthcare technology innovation, digital transformation, and physician well-being. She regularly speaks at industry conferences. In 2025, she will begin her second term as President of Virginia HIMSS.
In addition, Williams serves as an Ambassador for the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation. In this role, she advocates for technology solutions that support clinician well-being. Williams has played a vital role in shaping Augusta Health’s digital transformation strategy, including the selection of MEDITECH Expanse as the organization’s next-generation Electronic Health Record (EHR) platform.
Williams is committed to leveraging technology, data, and human-centered design to enhance patient experiences. She also aims to drive sustainable innovation at Augusta Health.
“I am so excited for the opportunity to continue working with our exceptional team to enhance Augusta Health’s technology ecosystem,” Williams stated. “Digital transformation is more than new systems—it’s about creating solutions that empower clinicians, improve workflows, and ultimately enhance patient care.
“I am most enthusiastic about our opportunities to meaningfully improve the daily professional experience of every Augusta Health team member by implementing emerging and trusted technologies that focus on the human experience of working in healthcare and leverage decades of learning around compliance and risk to finally make use of our tools in a way that improves and amplifies our professional practice. It is an exciting period of growth for Augusta Health, and I look forward to leading our next phase of innovation and progress.”
